Ophthalmic Emergencies

Ophthalmic Emergencies

Ophthalmic Emergencies Ophthalmic Emergencies are conditions that if left unattended for hours could result in permanent blindness or even loss of the eye. For Example: Corneal Laceration Complicated Corneal Ulcer Anterior Lens Luxation Ophthalmic Emergencies could include chronic conditions that suddenly changed to a sight/eye threatening situation. KCS Patient now with a Descemetocele Uveitis Patient now with Acute Glaucoma

Emergency Problem Types Obvious {apparently} Proptosis Eyelid Laceration Corneal Laceration Corneal Foreign Body Corneal Ulcer Vague Proactive DVM Red Eye Systemically Ill Painful Eye i.e.: FUO, hypertensive, fungal, Abnormal Ocular Discharge infectious diseases Cloudy Eye Neurological Acute Blindness Neoplasia ALL HBC s ALL ADR s Etc.

General Principles Understand Breed Associated Eye Problems CERF BLUE BOOK Understand Associations of systemic diseases and the eye Hypertension Diabetes Deep Fungal Neoplasia Etc.

General Principles Do No Harm Understand the Client s and RDVM s Expectations Know your capabilities/limitations Be open to referral to an ophthalmologist

The First Step in solving ANY Problem is to: DEFINE THE PROBLEM In ophthalmology, almost 99% of the information collected and utilized in making the initial tentative diagnosis which will direct the subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic plan is based on: The clinicians OBSERVATIONS!

Examination Tips Defining the problem by the following methods will focus on the etiology and then direct therapy and prognosis Consider the Primary Complaint (beware could be erroneous) Then consider the Signalment Then: History Eye Examination Physical Examination

Historical Information that could impact your decisions Past History Current other Medical Condition(s) Current Medication(s)

Eye Examination Key Points Order of Examination Techniques Vision Testing Neuroexam STT Culture (conjunctiva) *cornea +/Fluorescein Topical Anesthetic (proparacaine) Tonometry Eversion of Lids Cytology Mydriatic (Tropicamide 1%) Indirect Examination Ultrasound

Eye Examination Key Points Quiet and Semi - darkened Room Good Magnification Good Light Source

Eidolon and Heine HSL 100 Hand Held Slit Lamps

Slit of Light Evaluation of the ocular media Corneal Thickness Anterior Chamber Depth Localization of Opacities Identification of Aqueous Flare/Cells

Corneal Thickness

Aqueous Flare Tyndall Effect Pencil of light Look with pupil as background Look with iris as background Change angle through ranges of 15 º to 45º Use bright light and high magnification

Ophthalmoscopy Monocular Indirect Examination An excellent method to survey the retina i.e.: 30 diopter hand lens and a focal light source. Welch Allyn Panoptic Retinoscope A new wide field easy to use ophthalmoscope.

Foreign Body Search Muscle Hook for foreign body search

Physical Examination Very important part of the evaluation process Systemic associations with ocular disease Medications for the eye could impact the entire animal Anesthesia risk factors

Orbit Emergencies Causes Trauma (hemorrhage/fractures with displacement and entrapment) Infection (orbital cellulitis/abscess) Neoplasia Drug Reactions/Allergic (orbital cellulitis/zygomatic gland adenitis)

Orbit Emergencies Concerns for orbital emergencies Evaluate for Head Trauma, fractures and/or serious CNS trauma Stablize animal first before addressing the orbit Protect the globe (cornea) from exposure Identify extraocular, ocular and intraocular abnormalities Lacerations, foreign material, ulcers, uveitis, glaucoma and retina/optic nerve trauma

Orbit Emergencies Examinations for orbital emergencies Evaluate the oral cavity especially behind the last upper molar (pterygopalantine fossa) for swelling, penetrations and foreign bodies. Orbital cellulitis/abscess drainage behind the last molar Systemic antibiotics that had an anaerobic and gram negative (pseudomonas) spectrum (Clavamox/Baytril).

Orbit Emergencies Proptosis Replacement of the globe vs. enucleation Replace globe if at all possible Enucleate if the globe is ruptured, penetrated or severance of the majority of the extraocular muscles, optic nerve trauma Replacement of the globe Under general anesthesia 2 Muscle Hooks Elevate lids Lubricate Globe Gently lift muscle hooks while applying gentle pressure to globe and lifting lids up and over cornea. Place sutures (polypropylene or nylon) so they exit the lid margins exactly along the row of meibomian duct openings to avoid suture rub. Use Stents Treat with systemic steroids and antibiotics plus e-collar Topical atropine and antibiotic ophthalmic drugs

Proptosis A Partial or most often Complete Temporary Tarsorrhaphy is ne

Post Op Care Topical Medications Systemic Medications Topical Antibiotic and Atropine Antibiotics, Steroids and Pain Meds E-Collar

Prognosis Prognosis Complications Strabismus Dry Eye Corneal Ulcer Insensitive Cornea Blindness Lagophthalmos Facial Palsy

The Red Eye Blepharitis (serous discharge or seromucoid to mucopurulent) Conjunctivitis (seromucoid to mucopurulent discharge) Keratitis (serous discharge or seromucoid to mucopurulent) Uveitis (serous discharge) Glaucoma (serous discharge) Episcleritis (serous discharge) Hyphema (serous discharge)

Eyelids Eyelid lacerations Repair as soon as possible Evaluate globe third eyelid and nasolacrimal system for associated trauma Minimal debridement of wound Full thickness lacerations require two layer closure. Subconjunctival absorbable suture (not full thickness) to avoid corneal suture rub. The eyelid margin must be apposed perfectly to avoid corneal frictional irritation. 6-0 or 7-0 Vicryl subconjunctival and 5-0 or 6-0 monofilament nylon or polypropylene for the skin.

Conjunctiva Conjunctivitis always has an abnormal ocular discharge = surface disease Conjunctivitis in cats should always be considered secondary to an upper respiratory infectious agent of the cat until proven otherwise. Therefore do not use topical steroids in cats with conjunctivitis. Use topical erythromycin, Terramycin or a topical fluorquinolone (Covers Chlamydia and Mycoplasma). Topical antivirals are not very effective against viral conjunctivitis but if used; idoxuridine would be a good choice (obtain from a compounding pharmacy - ie: Wedgewood). Follicular conjunctivitis in the cat should be considered secondary to Chlamydia until proven otherwise. Erythromycin/Terramycin or topical fluorquinolone; best is oral doxycycline at 5mg/kg BID for 30 days in animals with their permanent teeth errupted. Always check Schirmer Tear Test when there is a red eye -- even if the eye looks moist!!

Conjunctiva Conjunctivitis always has an abnormal ocular discharge = surface disease Conjunctivitis in the dog is often bacterial secondary to an a pyoderma/otitis/kcs for example. Follicular conjunctivitis in the dog may be due to allergy but also Chlamydia; therefore oral doxycycline in the dog at 5 mg/kg bid for 30 days may be indicated.

Cornea Corneal Erosions/Ulcers Uncomplicated superficial erosions/ulcers Complicated Corneal Ulcers Look for cause first!! Correct cause if found (ie foreign body), then treat conservatively with an e-collar and a broad spectrum antibiotic such as neopolybacitracin TID to QID. Do not over treat. See handout PDF file on this CD Non - Healing Corneal Ulcers See handout PDF file on this CD

Cornea Corneal Foreign Bodies Surface - may consider irrigating off with a sharp stream of eyewash from a 24 guage cannula. Diagnose and then Refer these to an ophthalmologist as a first choice Embedded Superficial Deep Intraocular Corneal Lacerations Penetrating Corneal Wounds Perforating Corneal Wounds

Corneal Foreign Bodies

Topical Antibiotics for Complicated Corneal Ulcers (see handout attached on this CD) Need to cover for gram pos / neg to include pseudomonas sp. Cefazolin 50 mg/ml in Artificial Tears -and one of the following2. Fortified Gentamicin 9 mg/ml Tobramycin 9 mg/ml or a Fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin{CILOXAN} or Levofloxacin {QUIXIN}*) Oral doxycycline at 5mg/kg BID as anticollagenase 1.

Intraocular Foreign Body (piece of wood)

Three Weeks Post - Op

Uveitis Anterior Posterior Panuveitis Need to attempt to ID the cause and evaluate the entire animal. Exogenous (ulcerative or non ulcerative = reflex) vs Endogenous

Uveitis Acute Clinical Signs Photophobia Aqueous flare Iritis Miosis Enophthalmia Prolapse of the third eyelid Hypotony Hyalitis Chorioretinitis with or without exudates and detachment Optic Neuritis

Uveitis Chronic Clinical Signs Less Pain (unless glaucoma develops) Ciliary Flush Keratic Precipitates Rubeosis irides Posterior Synechia Glaucoma (peripheral anterior synechia-pifvms) Cataract Retinal Detachment

Uveitis Differentials Dogs Infectious Diseases Deep Fungal Blasto Crypto Histo Coccidio Tick Borne Ehrlichia sp. Lyme RMSF Parasitic Toxoplasmosis Heart worm disease Toxocara Leptospirosis Mycoplasma? Brucellosis Septicemia of any cause (endogenous)

Uveitis Differentials (endogenous) Dogs Immune Mediated Lens Induced Uveitis Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia Immune Mediate Vasculitis Idiopathic Could be triggered by an infectious disease Uveodermatologic Syndrome (VKH or VKH like syndrome) Toxicity to drugs I.e: TMS Pigmentary Uveitis of the Golden Retriever Paraneoplastic / Neoplastic

Uveitis Differentials (endogenous) Cats Infectious Diseases FeLV/ FIV Toxoplasmosis FIP Tick Borne Deep Fungal (Crypto, Histo, Blasto) Bartonella Herpes? Heart Worm Aberrant Larval Migration TB

Uveitis Differentials (endogenous) Cats Idiopathic Lymphocytic Plasmacytic inflammation Paraneoplastic/Neoplastic (lymphoma)

Hyphema Differentials Uveitis Trauma Neoplasia Systemic Hypertension Coagulopathies Hyperviscosity syndrome -- MM Congenital Anomalies CEA Vitreoretinal Dysplasia Persistent Hyaloid Chronic Glaucoma Chronic Retinal Detachment Toxicity

Hyphema Key Diagnostic Tests Directed at the Differential List Fluorescein Stain looking for puncture IOP Oral Examination (pterygopalantine fossa) Ocular Ultrasound

Hyphema Therapy Directed at the cause Atropine very important (if IOP normal or low) No pilocarpine -- will cause rebleeds and increase uveitis If IOP elevated then poor sign; may consider carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (topical and systemic) as well as topical Timolol. Mannitol may cause a rebleed. Topical Steroids if cornea intact Systemic Steroids +/Avoid non-steroidal drugs Follow IOP closely and watch for secondary glaucoma May need TPA intraocular injection if IOP rises after 24-48 hours due to a clot over pupil

Glaucoma Glaucoma is a clinical sign not a specific disease entity. Primary Glaucoma Secondary Glaucoma

Glaucoma Therapy is directed at reducing intraocular pressure keeping the cause in mind. Treatment for secondary glaucoma due to uveitis is different than primary glaucoma or secondary glaucoma due to an anterior lens luxation. After diagnosis -- ALWAYS an immediate phone Consultation / Referral to an ophthalmologist is the best idea.

Increase Outflow Medical Conventional Miotics (no miotic use when uveitis present) Sympathomeimetics (dipivifrin = bid) OK with uveitis Unconvential Prostenoids = Xalatan Surgical Stent Ahmed valve Molteno valve Custom stents Lens extraction Glaucoma Therapy Initial Emergency Treatment Decrease Intraocular Volume -hyperosmotics (oral USP glycerin or IV mannitol) Emergency Initial Treatment Only Do not use hyperosmotics with hyphema, severe uveitis or in animals with a cardiac problem. Glycerine can not be given to diabetics! Mannitol IV (1-2 grams/kg warmed and filtered IV slow over 30 minutes Glycerine Orally (1-2 ml / Kg) PO or Increase Unconventional Outflow Xalatan drops (lantanoprost) - 1 or 2 drops and recheck IOP in 1 hour Rx at 1-2x/day (must use a topical steroid with it at >2x the frequency) May be problematic with uveitis and should be avoided in uveitis induced glaucoma and ant. Lens lux. THEN Decrease Aqueous Production Medical Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Dorzlamide topical (TID) OK with uveitis Methazolamide PO ( 2 mg/kg bid to tid) Beta Blockers Timolol 0.5%(BID to TID) OK with uveitis Combo = Cosopt (timolol plus dorzolamide) OK with uveitis Surgical Cryosurgery Diode laser surgery

Sudden Blindness Evaluation of clarity of the ocular media Cornea Anterior Chamber Lens Vitreous Evaluation of the Fundus Retina Optic Disc

Sudden Blindness The Blind and Quiet Eye Serous Retinal Detachment Hypertension Retinoschisis (Shi Tzu) - Vitreous Degeneration Retinal Atrophy Optic Neuritis SARDS (see attached SARDS Handout for Clients)

Sudden Blindness Hypertensive Retinopathy

Reference Texts/Journals Veterinary Ocular Emergencies David L. Williams, Kathy Barrie and Thomas F. Evans Available on http://www.amazon.com Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice W.B. Saunders Co. Journal Volume 16, Number 1 (February 2001) Volume 15, Number 2 (May 2000) Veterinary Ophthalmology and Essentials of Veterinary Ophthalmology Gelatt Statter s Veterinary Ophthalmology Text 5 Minute Veterinary Consult Tilley